Transgender people are invisible and vulnerable

Transgender activists, who say crime against the community is massively underreported, have approached the state government for an "end to brutality".\n

20th January 2013 20:49

Alessia Valenza

Activist Lakshmi Tripathi met women and child development minister Varsha Gaikwad last week and demanded policies for the inclusion of transgender and gender nonconforming people. She said discrimination against them encouraged atrocities on the community. "Physical, sexual and mental abuse is regular and prejudice ensures that such crimes virtually go unreported."

Acknowledging transgender concerns, Gaikwad said the government would take remedial steps and include measures for the welfare of transgender people and unorganized sex workers in its new policy for women. She said her department had sought a presentation from Tripathi on transgender issues for January 16. On Tripathi’s request, the department has decided to invite other transgender activists for the occasion.